3. French pronouns Il and Elle

“Il” means “he” and “elle” means “she”. It’s just like in English and the pronunciation is not that difficult except that in the pronoun “elle” there is an open “e”. You have to open more your mouth to pronounce it.

Il and elle can also mean IT. In French, all nouns are masculine or feminine, so to replace them you must use “il” or “elle” depending on their gender.

For example:

La table est grande. (The table is big). Table is a feminine noun in French, so you can say : Elle est grande. (It is big), referring to the table.

4. French pronoun Nous

NOUS means WE and it is used just like in English.

There is only one thing you must be careful with. In fact, when followed by a vowel or an H, you have to make a “liaison” (linking words in speach).

For example with the verb parler, you won’t hear the final “s”

Nous parlons

But with the verb AIMER, the final s is pronounced like a zed.

Nous aimons

This is the French liaison.

5. French pronoun VOUS

“VOUS” is the plural form of “TU” but it is also the formal “YOU”.

In English there is only one “YOU”, but this is not the case in French.

You use “VOUS” when you talk to more than one person in an informal way.

But “vous” is also the formal you. You must absolutely use it when you don’t know the person very well, to older persons or to someone you must show respect. This is very important in French. Using “tu” with people you don’t know very well can sound rude in French.

Let’s pronounce it :

The “v”sound is like in the English word “very”.

And be careful with the liaison, before a vowel or an H you must pronounce the s like a zed.

Vous parlez. (you don’t pronounce the final “s”)

Vous aimez (you make the liaison and the final s is pronounced like an English zed.

6. French pronouns ILS and ELLES

They both mean “they”. They are the plural forms of “il” and “elle”.

But the pronunciation is exactly the same except if there is a liaison.

“Ils” is used for a group or men or when it’s a mixed gender group.

Ils parlent (=they talk. You use it for a group of men or boys or when there is at least one girl)

Elles parlent (=they talk for a group of women or girls)

Remember that ils and elles can also refer to a group of nouns.

And once again, be careful with the “liaison”.

Before vowels or an H, you pronounce the final s like a zed :

Ils aiment

Elles aiment.

Ok, so this is all for today. Now you know the French subject pronouns.

Here are the conjugations of the two verbs we have seen as examples PARLER and AIMER. Don’t forget the liaison (in red) and the contraction of Je in green!

Je parle J’aime

Tu parles Tu aimes (t’aimes)

Il / elle parle Il / elle aime

Nous parlons Nous aimons

Vous parlez Vous aimez

Ils /elles parlent Ils aiment / elles aiment

Au revoir ! and don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE to our YouTube channel for more easy French lessons!